Ed has left us...

On March 14, 2009 Ed Nagle ran the Seabrook Lucky Trails Half Marathon. The next day Ed ran the full marathon. That's 40 miles in two days by a man in his 60's being treated for cancer. Ed ran these races in my honor knowing I would have surgery a week later. In fact I was so sick from chemo I couldn't attend the race on Sunday. Ed and his wife Marcia stayed in touch the past 18 months making sure I was okay. Ed passed away 9 days ago on August 14. Please say a prayer for Ed and his family...

Rest In Peace Dave...

Dave passed away this morning, August 13 on his 45th birthday. During his treatment for bladder cancer Dave was a huge inspiration for many of us, especially me. His "just get over it" attitude was a breath of fresh air at times when we needed it most. I'll miss Dave...

Dave left these words just before his passing...

My beloved family, I have left my body but I have not left you.
We still have eternity, not just our years here which seem so few.

In your great pain, know that I have no pain so please let me go.
I enjoy many new experiences which someday you will know.

My beloved family, you were my strength, joy and my light.
I love you all so much and you will always be in my sight.

I know that my passing to new life has given you so much pain.
But like the rainbow, remember the sunshine before the rain.

My beloved family, you gave me such happiness and love.
I will keep sending you my love as I care for you from above.

It is only for a short time that we will be apart.
So keep on living, loving and laughing until then.

In the meantime, I will be near you with my warm embrace.
That is my presence you feel when you remember my face.

There will be a day when God calls you but you will not be alone
I will be there that day to greet you and welcome you home.

Another Birtday...

I posted the message below one day before my birthday in 2009. It is as meaningful today as it was then so I’ve updated the dates and a couple of details for this year...

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It was 17 months, 7 days ago (almost to the hour) when my doctor told me I had cancer. Not a day I’ll ever forget! A week later at the hospital, after surgery he changed it to really bad cancer (as if there were a really good cancer). My nurse told me to go off and become a miracle. Knowing it will take a miracle to survive was a little deflating.

A month later after another surgery at MD Anderson my doctor confirmed "really bad." They used words with lots of syllables like papillary, carcinoma and so on. They even scheduled me for another surgery that began with the word radical. Hmm...this is getting better?

All of the above occurred over a 6-week period. What a whirlwind!

One of my early prayers was “let me see Brittany graduate.” I was asking for two years. Seemed reasonable! Then I began to get greedy, asking for extra years to see the grandbabies grow up. They do need a grandpa!

As the days went by leading up to surgery I would not allow myself to think too far into the future because when I did a sense of disappointment and sadness set in. I had to be realistic…this was a complicated procedure that didn’t…well...you get the point!

Here I am one day before another birthday not caring too much about aging, looking forward to upcoming vacations and generally enjoying life. My immediate concern is ensuring I make enough margaritas for our gathering tonight. Adrianne, Alison and Brittany are all here, something that doesn’t happen often enough.

That’s the “one day at a time/live for the moment” thing I’ve become accustom to. Not a bad way to live!

So…Happy Birthday to Me!

Didn’t plan on making it this far but don’t plan on leaving too soon either! Hey, that sounds like a country song.